BOLOGNA NEWS
There are discussions for a ‘solidarity fund’ created from docking the wages of some Serie A and B players to help cover salaries of Serie C squads.
Plans are taking shape for how to get Serie A going again in May or June, with blanket coronavirus tests for squads, quarantine periods for those coming from abroad and structured training.
The number of deaths in Italy from coronavirus remains relatively stable, with 760 over the last 24 hours, reaching 13,915 in total.
Players’ Association President Damiano Tommasi insists cutting wages is “not a priority” right now, but rather a protocol for returning to duty and dealing with contracts if the season goes beyond June 30.
Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora announced there is “an extraordinary plan for sport to resume from May,” as Italy eye an easing of lockdown measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A new Government decree in Italy has banned training in sporting facilities for professionals until at least April 13 due to the coronavirus lockdown, effectively ending the debate between clubs.
A leading epidemiologist running one of Italy’s coronavirus taskforces warns it is “difficult” to see sport resume in Italy before the summer, although self-isolation prevented “tens of thousands more deaths.”
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina has confirmed that “the idea is to restart Serie A on May 20 or early June. Scrapping the season would be a grave injustice.”
Serie A clubs spent almost €200m on agent fees throughout 2019, with Juventus leading the way on €44.3m.
There were another 727 deaths in Italy from the coronavirus over the last 24 hours, taking the total to 13,155, but the rate of new infections continues to slow.
Italy’s Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora doubts that football can resume on May 3 and confirms plan to start “behind closed doors” in the event of a return.
Coronavirus deaths have dropped slightly from yesterday, while 999 have recovered from the illness in the last 24 hours.
Former Lazio coach Sven-Göran Eriksson has revealed that he had to convince Sinisa Mihajlovic to play in defence. “He became one of the best in the world”.
Lega Serie A President Paolo Dal Pino wants the Presidents to stop asking about training sessions until the initial decree expires.
Western United hero Alessandro Diamanti wrote a message to encourage fans to “stay at home” after the Australian A-League suspended play.
Shenzhen FC coach Roberto Donadoni has revealed that he pictures himself in Serie A in the future. “Maybe at Atalanta”.
The death toll in Italy for people who contracted Coronavirus is now 5,476, an increase of 651 over 24 hours, but there is hope they are over the peak and numbers are dropping.
Francesco Totti took part in the Italian version of Celebrity Hunted, getting help from Marco Di Vaio and Antonio Cassano. “I could still play half-an-hour and have my say on the pitch.”
Italy, and in particular Lombardy, has overtaken China as the country with the most Coronavirus deaths. “We don’t understand why it’s so aggressive. The virus might’ve mutated.”
Brescia President Massimo Cellino insists the 2019-20 Serie A season is over due to the Coronavirus. “If Lazio want the Scudetto, let them have it. This is the plague.”
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